Page 73 - sense-and-sensibility

about Marianne. I am sure she will be married to Mr. Wil-
loughby very soon.’
‘You have said so,’ replied Elinor, ‘almost every day since
they first met on High-church Down; and they had not
known each other a week, I believe, before you were cer-
tain that Marianne wore his picture round her neck; but it
turned out to be only the miniature of our great uncle.’
‘But indeed this is quite another thing. I am sure they
will be married very soon, for he has got a lock of her hair.’
‘Take care, Margaret. It may be only the hair of some
great uncle of HIS.’
‘But, indeed, Elinor, it is Marianne’s. I am almost sure it
is, for I saw him cut it off. Last night after tea, when you and
mama went out of the room, they were whispering and talk-
ing together as fast as could be, and he seemed to be begging
something of her, and presently he took up her scissors and
cut off a long lock of her hair, for it was all tumbled down
her back; and he kissed it, and folded it up in a piece of white
paper; and put it into his pocket-book.’
For such particulars, stated on such authority, Elinor
could not withhold her credit; nor was she disposed to it,
for the circumstance was in perfect unison with what she
had heard and seen herself.
Margaret’s sagacity was not always displayed in a way
so satisfactory to her sister. When Mrs. Jennings attacked
her one evening at the park, to give the name of the young
man who was Elinor’s particular favourite, which had been
long a matter of great curiosity to her, Margaret answered
by looking at her sister, and saying, ‘I must not tell, may I,

Sense and Sensibility